Give Me Jesus: Brief Post-Election Reflections and an Alternative Pledge of Allegiance

I fell asleep last night to the lyric, "in the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus." I woke up to the same internal melody. For many, today is a day of great lament. Fear and angst realized and amplified in a way that deeply affects their lived realities and the concerns of their friends, family members, and neighbors near and far. These must be heard and given space to breathe. For others, today is a day where they believe a particular age of reform or return is about to come. I am doing my best to hear them, too.

But I find this quite difficult.

While I woke in a fog and continue to wrestle with what may be ahead, especially for my children, women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, refugees, and those seeking asylum in this nation, one thing is certain, I pledge allegiance not to a nation or an office, a political dream or a flag. Rather, this personal anthem, written eight years ago, holds just as true now as it did then and will tomorrow and for the next four years, too.

Church, God is with us and the Spirit inviting us still. People of God, Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Amen.